LECTIO PETRI: GIVING REASON FOR THE HOPE THAT IS IN US

On 24 January Saint Peter’s Basilica hosts the third appointment dedicated to the life and ministry of the Apostle Peter.

Speakers during the evening will be Cardinal Gambetti, Cardinal Ravasi and Professor Amato

Vatican City, 19 January 2023 - After the first two appointments on 25 October and 22 November 2022, next Tuesday 24 January at 18:30, Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican will host a new Lectio Petri, the third of four meetings promoted by the “Courtyard of the Gentiles” and the Fratelli tutti Foundation to explore into the life and ministry of the Apostle Peter, in theology, history, the arts and culture.

The title chosen for this occasion is “Giving Reason for the Hope that is in Us”: Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture, will in fact comment on some of the most significant passages of the First Letter of Peter, Pliny's Letter to Trajan and Trajan’s Letter of Reply to Pliny. The concluding commentary will instead be entrusted to Professor Giuliano Amato, president of the Courtyard of the Gentiles Foundation, who will offer the audience a reflection on the theme “Faith and Society”. The evening will be introduced by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter’s in the Vatican, and will be enriched by the musical performance of a string quartet, with the Adagio in G minor by Tomaso Albinoni, the Ave Maria (Intermezzo from “Cavalleria Rusticana”) by Pietro Mascagni, and the Aria on the IV string from Suite no. 3 BWV 1068 by Johann Sebastian Bach. The readings will be interpreted by journalist and TV presenter Paola Saluzzi.

“The texts chosen for this Lectio Petri - The First Letter of Peter and the epistolary exchange between Pliny and Trajan - are very significant and evocative documents not only from a theological point of view, but also from a historical-cultural one, because they offer a portrait of an era [70-110 A.D.], of a community [the second-generation Christian community] and its relations with the Empire”, explains Cardinal Ravasi. “This sort of ideal duet between the politician, Pliny, and the Christian apostle, Peter, between two cultures, between two peoples, between State and Church is, moreover, very topical. Let us also think of Peter’s words: addressing the Christians, a minority group that feels itself a stranger and a pilgrim, he invites them to maintain dialogue with the pagan horizon, to remain in the world, preserving but also giving reason, with kindness and courage, to their own identity. This is what we always try to do also with the 'Courtyard of the Gentiles': to walk the path of encounter, authentically respecting different conceptions”.

Professor Amato adds: “Religions, far from being extraneous to the construct of social cohesion, can provide essential nourishment in view of the common good. Those, on the other hand, who derive integralist and intolerant positions from them, distance them from the role that is inherent in their very common values: which is to meet the other, never to radically deny his reasons”.

“The theme of the evening paraphrases the exhortation that the Apostle addresses to the faithful in his First Letter: ‘In your hearts reverence Christ the Lord, always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you’. Let us take up this exhortation from the perspective of fraternity, to which these appointments of ours refer: as we meet others we assume and mature more and more of our own identity, we recognize it and give an account of the hope that is in us, becoming in the world a leaven of social friendship and fraternity. In fact, constitutively Christians are brothers, because Jesus is the 'form' of Christianity”, comments Cardinal Gambetti.

The next appointments

The last Lectio Petri, “Quo vadis”, is scheduled for 7 March 2023 and, thanks to the participation of prominent personalities from the world of culture, will analyse the figure of Peter in the arts, literature and music.

The “Courtyard of the Gentiles”

The Courtyard of the Gentiles is a structure of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, founded by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi to promote dialogue between believers and non-believers. Through events, meetings, debates, research and opportunities for sharing, the Courtyard of the Gentiles has established itself as a meeting place for leading figures from secular and Catholic cultures, on issues and challenges affecting contemporary society - such as ethics, legality, science, faith, sport, art, youth and new technologies. In 2011, in support of the mission and activities of the Courtyard of the Gentiles, the Foundation of the same name, chaired by Professor Giuliano Amato, was also set up, in pursuit of social solidarity goals, and is inspired by the logic of non-profit.

The Fratelli tutti Foundation

The Fratelli tutti Foundation, established by the Holy Father on 8 December 2021 by pontifical chirograph, was created by the Fabric of Saint Peter to promote paths of art and faith, education and dialogue with culture, peoples and religions. Through the symbolic power of embracing the world, expressed by Bernini’s colonnade, the Foundation’s mission is to foster “fraternity” and “social friendship”. This is why it stands “on the threshold”, between Saint Peter’s Basilica and the city, as symbolized by the logo composed of people in motion, who are on the one hand welcomed and on the other expressing the very dynamism of the Church that includes forming the embrace. The Foundation’s mission areas are:

● Pathways of art and faith, to enable the many visitors to have a spiritual experience by grasping the meaning of the various dimensions of beauty.

● Cultural and spiritual formation, to build an education community around Saint Peter’s through seminars, lectiones, events, experiences, paths and spiritual exercises.

● Dialogue with cultures, other Christian denominations and other religions on the themes of the Pontiff's latest encyclicals, to build a “social alliance”.

To participate in the event on 24 January it is necessary to register at: http://www.bit.ly/3IOXlpV

ACCREDITATION PROCEDURES FOR JOURNALISTS

Journalists and media operators wishing to participate must apply, within 24 hours of the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system at: press.vatican.va/accreditations

Requests for interviews must be sent in advance to the Press Offices, whose contacts are listed below.

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For further information:

www.cortiledeigentili.com
www.fondazionefratellitutti.org

Press Office, Courtyard of the Gentiles: Giulia Tosana – g.tosana@cortile.va – 333 1732069
Press Office Fratelli tutti Foundation: Rita Cristofari – ritacristofari@gmail.com – 331 2969626